DeVos proposes overhaul to campus sexual misconduct rules
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is proposing a major overhaul to the way colleges handle complaints of sexual misconduct and the plan does not sit well with an advocacy group in Rhode Island for victims of sexual assault.
The Education Department released a plan Friday that would require schools to investigate sexual assault and harassment only if the alleged misconduct was reported to certain campus officials and only if it occurred on campus or other areas overseen by the school.
The plan would narrow the definition of sexual harassment and allow students accused of misconduct to cross-examine accusers in campus hearings.
DeVos’ proposal would replace Obama-era guidelines she scrapped last year, saying they were unfair to students accused of sexual misconduct.
The new guidelines aim to give greater protections to accused students while also giving schools flexibility to offer support to victims who don’t file a formal complaint.
Peg Langhammer is the executive director for the victim’s advocacy group Day One. She believes the new proposal is a step backward in ridding college campuses across the country of sexual assault.
“It will have a chilling effect on all the progress that has been made,” she said. “It definitely is focused more on the rights of the accused.
The 150 page plan, at first glance, is concerning for Langhammer. She said a major flaw in the proposal is giving the accused a chance to cross-examine their alleged victim.
“It’s another form of abuse, quite frankly,” she said. “this really tilts it in terms of supporting the accused and questioning the veracity of the accuser.
ABC 6 reached out to several colleges in the state and we’re told they are all reviewing the plan and seeing if their current plans would be affected by the proposal.
The plan is now under a 60 day comment period. Langhammer with day One is planing on giving feedback to the Department of Education.
***This story contains information from the Associated Press***
